Prevalence, genetic characterization, and antibiogram of Salmonella enterica recovered from buffalo meat

Abstract

Objective: This study aimed to determine the prevalence, virulence-associated genes and antimicrobial resistance of Salmonella species  recovered from buffalo meat at Mansoura city in Egypt. Salmonella virulence genes were detected using polymerase chain reaction  targeting invA, stn, and hilA genes.

Design: Observational study.

Samples: 120 samples.

Procedures: A total of 120 buffalo meat samples  were bacteriologically analyzed to isolate and characterize the Salmonella spp. and its virulence genes, in addition to their  antimicrobial resistance.

Results: Thirty (25%) out of 120-samples from buffalo meat were positive Salmonella spp. Out of the 191  phenotypically identified Salmonella isolates, only 58 strains were molecularly confirmed as Salmonella spp. based on invA gene  detection. The hilA and stn genes were detected in 79.3% (46/58) and 72.4% (42/58) of the tested isolates, respectively. S. Enteritidis and S. Typhimurium were the predominant serovars of the tested isolates. All recovered isolates (n=58) were found to be resistant to erythromycin. A high percentage of isolates recovered from buffalo meat were resistant to at least one antibiotic with a MAR average of  0.459.

Conclusion and clinical relevance: The high level of Salmonella contamination reported in Egyptian buffalo meat can constitute a  potential risk for public health. Consequently, special programs are urgently needed to control Salmonella contamination in Egypt